1-1 Roles and Responsibilities

1-2 Module Objectives  Recognize the roles of LEOs and others in work zones  List LEO responsibilities and expectations in work zones  Discuss communication channels among all involved and the importance of good communication

1-3 Decision-Makers  Set a procedure for how LEOs may be used  Implement policies  Be active and engaged – even if contractor is mainly responsible for hiring LEOs  One state: Regional WZ enforcement coordinators

1-4 Discussion  Does your state have a defined process for using officers in work zones?  How is coordination achieved?  How would you evaluate your current practice?  Is the process working as well as it could be?

1-5 Typical WZ Stakeholders 1. Highway Agency 2. Contractor 3. Contractor’s Point of Contact 4. Traffic control technicians

Highway Agency  May be:  State DOT  Other local agency  Responsible for the overall project, including enforcement of the TCP  The “final authority”  May contract-out these responsibilities Approves a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) for the project

Highway Agency (cont.)  May allocate enforcement resources  May provide inspection services and liaison with LEOs  Builds the TCP which includes:  Pattern of TCPs  Tasks to be performed  Project phasing

Highway Agency (cont.)  May include location/placement of police officers based upon:  WZ type  Location  Duration  Time of day

Contractors  Build and maintain project  May provide inspection services and liaison to LEO  Ensures the traffic control is correct on a daily basis  May be responsible for hiring and paying LEOs  Assumes officers are trained!! Implements the Traffic Control Plan based on the MUTCD and local standards

1-10 Contractors….  Do not have the authority to place officers contrary to established procedures and/or endanger the police officer Request a briefing from the contractor or DOT representative!

1-11 Contractors….  Should provide a daily work zone briefing to police officers prior to the beginning of each shift or special enforcement activity. The officer you are relieving is another good source of work zone information, but not your only one!

Contractor’s Point of Contact (POC)  Represents the Contractor in the field  In charge of project  “Work Zone Supervisor?  Certification?  DOT Inspector may be your POC – be sure of your communication channels  Responsible for inspection and documentation Know your primary contact in the field!

Traffic Control Technicians  Report to the WZ Supervisor  Workers  Are a good technical source on TCP issues  Should have some WZ training  Understand and support role of law enforcement

Law Enforcement Officers  Should:  Be trained in basic work zone operations and safety  Obtain names & numbers of contractor personnel and POC  Attempt to make daily contact with Contractor or DOT personnel.  Attend the project’s pre- construction conference

1-15 The “Pre-construction Conference”  A meeting where everyone involved with the project discusses:  Roles and responsibilities  Construction details  Procedures/schedules are discussed  Decisions are made  Questions are answered LEOs should attend and take information back to others!

Law Enforcement Officers  Your activities will affect everyone’s safety! Anyone working in close proximity to traffic is in danger! Watch your back!! Your badge does not protect you from traffic impacts!

1-17 Main Types of Police Services in WZ a)Presence b)Enforcement c)Traffic Control d)Emergency assistance

1-18 Services: a) Presence  Deterrent to speeding and aggressive driving  Gains the attention of drivers Most common LEO activity in WZ!

1-19 Presence Issues  Jurisdictional boundaries may cause issues  Work zone impact area may cross boundaries  Longer queuing and higher traffic impacts  Multi-agency traffic teams are an option  Use of State Police is another option for presence officers to reduce jurisdictional issues Have a process or policy!

1-20 Services: b) Enforcement  Active enforcement of traffic laws in the WZ  May not be as common as presence  Combine with presence WZ should be enforced as strictly as school zones! Presence officers shouldn’t do enforcement! Use local officers.

1-21 Services: c) Traffic Control  Operations that require traffic control such as intersections  May be used in detour/diversion situations  Or to direct traffic & keep it moving This may be in line with normal duty for a police officer

1-22 Services: d) Emergency Assistance  Not within the scope of this class  Emergency traffic control is a type of temporary traffic control  Discussed in section 6i of MUTCD

Stay in communication 2.Be visible 3.Be alert 4.Drive-through What to do When Working in a Work Zone 5.Investigate crashes? 6.Arrive early/leave late 7.Monitor TCP compliance? Let’s discuss in more detail!

Stay in Communication  Report to the POC at beginning of shift  Contact Project Engineer for clarification and directions  Remain in radio contact with the local dispatch

1-25 What to discuss with the Point of Contact (POC)  Project objective and schedule  Your location  Contact information  Identify enforcement areas?  Express concerns about your safety, if any  Be friendly!

Be Visible  Patrol car emergency lights on  No headlights  If outside the patrol vehicle and within the work zone, MUST wear issued retroreflective safety vest Your visibility is critical!

1-27 Where is the safest place to be for PRESENCE?  Identify the safest and most efficient location, that is in compliance with procedures  Will discuss in next module

1-28  Stay alert at all times! 3. Be alert

1-29  Both directions  To become familiar with the work zone and its activities  To determine safe places to investigate crashes and for enforcement  To identify hazardous conditions 4. Drive-Through

1-30  Investigate minor property damages crashes that occur within the WZ if the time required to complete the investigation is minimal 5. Investigate Crashes? Crashes involving injury shall be investigated by the appropriate personnel, not the WZ “presence” officer Determine local property damage (PDO) policies ahead of time!

1-31  Limit investigation of minor property- damage crashes to assurance of non- injury. Crashes involving injury should be investigated by the appropriate personnel, not the WZ “presence” officer. Enforcement agency policy will guide initial involvement. Determine local property damage only (PDO) policies ahead of time! About Investigating Crashes..

Arrive early/leave late  For best worker protection, be present when the traffic control devices are being installed or removed

1-33 As a courtesy: The 15 Minute Rule …….  Arrive 15 minutes before traffic control devices are being placed, moved or taken down  Stay 15 minutes after these changes have taken place, to ensure the new traffic control change is working properly Discuss with POC

1-34  Inspect TCP compliance?????????  Check TCP against field inspection  Detect safety violations  Notify supervisor of problems 7. Inspect TCP Compliance? Officers are not responsible for TCP inspection, but can be extremely valuable in identifying potential problems. NJ State Police has a program….

NJ Safety Intervention Results: July 1, November 30, Total Interventions 11,544 Employees Removed From Risk 3387 OSHA Violations Corrected 4008 DOT Violations Corrected 247 Different Contractors Impacted

1-36 DISCUSSION  How do you feel about requiring training for officers before they work in or around traffic work zones?

1-37 Module Recap  What are the traditional roles of LEOs in work zones?  Who else is involved with work zones?  What specific activities are typical of LEOs in work zones?  What is the “15-Minute Rule”?  Do you know your POC?  Do policies related to emergency response exist?